Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant
Meeker Memorial Hospital & Clinics
Litchfield, MN, United States2d ago
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Skills
About the role
Job Summary
Follows through with treatment plans written by the Occupational Therapist for patients referred by a Physician for occupational rehabilitation services.
A COTA provides professional treatment to patients according to the plan of care established by the occupational therapist to facilitate development and rehabilitation of mentally, physically, or emotionally disable persons. This occurs in various settings including Meeker Memorial Hospital and Clinics, and/or with other contracted agencies. May oversee support staff, COTA students, and volunteers.
Essential Job Functions
Job functions are those tasks, duties, and responsibilities that comprise the means of accomplishing the job’s purpose and objectives. Job functions are critical or fundamental to the performance of the job. They are the major functions for which the person in the job is held accountable.
• Implements treatment plan established by Occupational Therapist
• Informs Occupational Therapist of changes in patient's condition
• Understands and complies with universal precautions, safety and risk policies and procedures
• Makes recommendations to Occupational Therapist for adjusting treatment plan as needed to progress patient or discontinue services
• Assist with department QA reports and records
• Performs necessary documentation including progress notes, discharge notes and logs in a timely manner according to regulations
• Assist with orientation of new staff, volunteers and students
• Performs clerical duties such as inventory, answering phone, taking messages and filling out forms
• Utilizes and maintains equipment, request supplies as needed
• Monitors treatment administered by Rehab Technicians
• Understands and complies with supervisory regulations required by the state worked in
• Ongoing commitment to reducing costs and improving productivity in the occupational therapy department
• Treatment of occupational therapy patients according to the established plan of care to attain specific goals.
• Documents services and maintains records as required by law, facility policies, and administrative regulations, and does so in a timely manner.
• Consults and communicates with other members of the rehabilitation team to provide the best possible care for all patients
• Develops home programs for patient and family to continue after discharge. Educates family/caregivers/home health workers as needed
• Provides services to area home care agencies in order to service the greater Meeker Memorial Hospital area
• Ability to adjust to changing case load including inpatients, outpatients, and home health care patients.
• Responsibility for maintaining up to date licensure requirements
• Practices therapy consistent with the code of ethics of the Minnesota and American Occupational Therapy Association and National Board of Certification for Occupational Therapy
• Presents positive service-oriented approach with patients, patient families, facility staff and co-workers
• Attends meetings and conferences and participates in other activities to promote professional growth.
Note: This job description does not state or imply that the above are the only duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. Employees holding this position may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this job description.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
• Associate’s degree (A.A.), of OTA
• Associate's degree (A. A.) or equivalent from two-year college or technical school; or six months to one-year related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs)
• Understanding proper documentation and reporting procedures for patient progress and responses to treatment.
• Excellent communication and time management skills.
• Ability to work independently and meet the demands of a Critical Access Hospital/rural hospital environment.
• Skilled at incorporating AIDET into professional practice.
• Knowledge of role in patient confidentiality and protecting patient information from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure as defined by HIPAA.
• Ability to respond quickly and decisively to emergency situations and participate in shelter-in-place and disaster response protocols.
• Ability to work with interdisciplinary teams, communicating effectively with patients, families, and healthcare providers.
• Ability to demonstrate the knowledge and skills essential for providing care to specific patient populations.
• Ability to lift, move, and position patients and equipment.
Preferred Qualifications
• Willingness to assist with program development and QA/QI studies to improve the services provided to patients.
• Familiarity with EPIC electronic medical record system
• Knowledge of CAH-specific regulations and rural health challenges.
Licenses & Certifications
• Current Occupational Therapist Assistant board certification and licensure according to state regulations
• Current license for the Minnesota Department of Health National Board of Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc. (NBCOT)
• Valid driver's license
Computer Skills
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook), secure messaging applications, and collaborative tools (e.g.) Microsoft Teams, Google Workspace. Proficient with Paycom and other Information Systems applicable to position. Ability to thoroughly document clinical services, maintain accurate patient records, and effectively utilize electronic health record (EHR) systems i.e. EPIC.
Reasoning & Critical Thinking
Apply logical problem-solving and decision-making skills in complex situations. Make sound decisions in real time, often under pressure (early warning signs, inconsistencies, potential complications) using critical thinking. Analyze data and scenarios to identify patterns, inconsistencies, and opportunities. Evaluate multiple approaches and propose innovative solutions with sound judgement. Able to work independently with limited supervision.
Language & Communication Skills
Adapt tone, style, and messaging for diverse audiences and contexts. Ability to write high-quality drafts, proposals, reports, and presentations. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one meetings as well as small and larger groups, i.e. employees, customers, vendors, community organizations, etc. Collaborate across departments to relay messages and coordinate care smoothly.
Mathematics & Analytical Abilities
Ability to accurately perform basic mathematical calculations in all units of measure using whole numbers, common fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations and in analysis of quality assurance data. Ability to understand bar graphs and other visual representations of data. Accurately record and interpret clinical measurements. Use EMR systems and care documentation tools to analyze data trends and support treatment.
Standards of Employment
• Understand and adhere to MMHC’s compliance standards as outlined in MMHC’s Compliance Program.
• Attend all mandatory education programs and demonstrate proficiency related to general safety and regulatory compliance.
• Attend all department-specific training and demonstrate proficiency related to safety and job-related hazards.
• Understand and follow MMHC procedures for exposure control / blood borne and airborne pathogens.
• Comply with all relevant MMHC policies, procedures, guidelines, and all other regulatory standards and requirements.
• Attire is neat, clean, and appropriate for the work environment and according to MMHC policy.
• Wear proper identification while on duty.
• Maintain confidentiality of all MMHC and patient information at all times.
• Report to work on time and maintain defined standards for attendance.
• Attend mandatory meetings.
• Able to perform essential job duties that meet job performance expectations and organizational standards while upholding MMHC mission and values.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and taste or smell. The employee must frequently lift and/or move (push/pull) up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds. Lifting/and or moving of more than 35 pounds shall require the use of an assistive device or team member assist. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Ability to meet physical demands of rural hospital/clinic work, including during emergency situations and/or disaster protocols.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts; needles or sharps; the challenges of variable hours, shifting resources, and work situations inherent in CAH/rural settings; Hazards and/or Biohazard Medications; fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals; outside weather conditions; risk of electric shock and radiation; bloodborne pathogens and exposed to latex. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.